Isis Rock @ Emo's; Jesu Stuck @ Airport

For those not aware, ISIS (they prefer all-caps) play a hard-to-categorize brand of hard rock incorporating elements of doom-metal, progressive rock, trance-y song structures, and lots of yelling. They do cool things like open for Tool and run a big-time independent label, HydraHead Industries, that most bands would kill to get with. They're back in Austin for a near-sold-out show at Emo's.

...Unfortunately, what was shaping up to be a phenomenal show has been downgraded to just-pretty-great. UK gloomgazers Jesu, the brainchild of underground legend Justin Broadrick (of Napalm Death and Godflesh fame), won't be making their opening slot tonight, thanks to our dear friends over at the Department of Homeland Security. Jesu have been forced to cancel the first week of their first-ever US tour, and possibly more, pending a seemingly endless review process to get work visas. Because, really, who knows how much anthrax you can stuff into a bass cabinet? Sigh. Underrated Florida doom-metallers Torche remain on the bill, which has been padded with LA progressives Intronaut.

ISIS, Intronaut, Torche tonight at Emo's
Doors @8; show @ 10 [map]
$11 at the door (cash only)